Battle of Inates
Battle of Inates | |||||||
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Part of Jihadist insurgency in Niger | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
220 [citation needed] | 150 [citation needed] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
73 killed [1] 12 wounded | Light |
On 10 December 2019, a large group of fighters belonging to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked a military post in Inates, Tillabéri Region, Niger. They used guns, bombs, and mortars killing over seventy soldiers and kidnapping others in one of the worst attacks in the history of Niger.[2][3][4]
Background
[edit]In the preceding months, attacks by the Islamic State in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have worsened with large scale firearm assaults on both the civilian population and armed forces. In November, gunmen killed over 50 soldiers in the 2019 Indelimane attack in the Ménaka Region of Mali. A week later in Burkina Faso, gunmen stormed a convoy of buses for the Boungou miners, killing 37, although some estimate the death toll to be much higher.[5][6][7] This attack happened after an attack on another Niger post which resulted in the killing of three Nigerian soldiers and 14 of the assailants.[8]
Attack
[edit]A large group of gunmen stormed the base firing mortars and shooting as many soldiers as possible. The attackers included suicide bombers.[9] The spokesman for the ministry stated that many of the attackers were neutralized by friendly forces. The attack killed 71 soldiers and injured 12 others. 30 more soldiers remained missing after the attack. Following this attack, the president, Mahamadou Issoufou, decided to cancel his trip to Egypt.[8][9]
Aftermath
[edit]On 12 December, The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through its local branch.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "More than 70 soldiers feared killed in ambush in Niger". The Guardian. Jason Burke. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "At least 70 soldiers killed in attack on Niger military camp". France 24. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ Paquette, Danielle. "More than 70 soldiers killed in attack on military base in western Niger". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ Givas, Nick (11 December 2019). "Niger military post ambushed by suspected Islamic militants, at least 70 soldiers killed, officials say". Fox News. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "Militants kill 54 in attack on Mali army post, ISIS claims responsibility". NBC News. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "'So many dead': Survivors describe terrifying Burkina Faso ambush". Reuters. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "AFP.com". AFP.com. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Scores of soldiers killed in Niger base attack". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ a b "71 Soldiers Killed In Attack On Army Camp In Niger". NPR. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "Islamic State claims responsibility for military camp attack in Niger: statement". Reuters. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- 2019 in Niger
- 2019 mass shootings in Africa
- 21st-century mass murder in Africa
- Attacks on military installations in 2019
- Battles in 2019
- December 2019 crimes in Africa
- ISIL terrorist incidents in Africa
- Islamic terrorist incidents in 2019
- Mass murder in Niger
- Massacres in 2019
- Massacres in Africa
- Suicide bombings in 2019
- Suicide bombings in Africa
- Terrorist incidents in Niger
- Tillabéri Region
- Mass murder in 2019
- Battles involving Niger
- Battles involving the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
- Jihadist insurgency in Niger